Beta-adrenergic receptor levels and function after growth of S49 lymphoma cells in low concentrations of epinephrine

Growth of S49 wild-type (WT) lymphoma cells for 24 hr with 3 nM epinephrine produces a very pronounced attenuation of cAMP accumulation in response to subsequent challenges with much higher concentrations of the catecholamine [Mol. Pharmacol. 36:459-464 (1989)]. We report here the effects of this treatment, in S49 WT, cyc-, and kin- cells, on the responsiveness of adenylate cyclase in partially purified membranes. The desensitization of adenylate cyclase in the S49 WT cells after 24-hr treatment was homologous, in that only responses to epinephrine were attenuated. The EC50 for epinephrine stimulation of adenylate cyclase was 54 +/- 8% (mean +/- standard error) higher in treated cells than in controls, and there was a 32 +/- 3% reduction in Vmax at supramaximal epinephrine concentrations. The treatment also caused a 34 +/- 9% reduction in the levels of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR), which was of a sufficient magnitude to account for the homologous desensitization seen. The 24-hr treatment had similar effects in S49 kin- cells, where we observed a 28 +/- 4% decrease in Vmax, a 35 +/- 6% increase in EC50 for epinephrine stimulation of adenylate cyclase, and a 25 +/- 3% decrease in beta AR. In contrast, the 24-hr treatment had no measurable effect on adenylate cyclase activity in S49 cyc- cells. That is, the responsivity of adenylate cyclase reconstituted with Gs from S49 WT cells was not attenuated, although beta AR levels were significantly decreased. The desensitization of S49 cells with the 24-hr treatment was additive with that mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK). Further, unlike the cAPK-mediated attenuation, it was relatively insensitive to the levels of free Mg2+ in the adenylate cyclase reaction mixture. The characteristics of the desensitization produced by 24-hr treatment with 3 nM epinephrine, together with the observation that it is similar in S49 WT and kin- cells, demonstrates that the process in WT cells is, at least in part, independent of the rapid cAPK-mediated desensitization. It is also most likely that it is unrelated to the rapid cAMP-independent processes involving sequestration/internalization or the beta AR kinase, because those mechanisms require much higher receptor occupancies than the 0.2% occurring with 3 nM epinephrine. Thus, 24-hr treatment appears to produce attenuation of adenylate cyclase by causing down-regulation of beta AR, without involving any other known form of desensitization.

The encounter coupling model for beta-adrenergic receptor/GTP-binding protein interaction in the S49 cell. Calculation of the encounter frequency

Experiments measuring epinephrine stimulation of the S49 cell have demonstrated that the rate of adenylate cyclase activation is partly dependent on the rate of turnover of epinephrine occupancy with respect to individual receptors. Specifically, it has been shown that a low occupancy of the full receptor population by epinephrine promotes a rate of adenylate cyclase activation significantly greater than that for a low number of receptors completely occupied by epinephrine with which the concentration of bound receptors is the same. This finding indicated that the interaction of individual receptors with GTP-binding protein (G) occurs on a time scale which is greater than the mean lifetime of the epinephrine-receptor complex; during this period of interaction (an "encounter"), a receptor can change its occupancy state in the presence of a high binding frequency agonist such as epinephrine. Here we present a general analysis, in an extension of the Collision Coupling Model of Tolkovsky and Levitzki (Biochemistry 17: 3795-3810, 1978), of the consequences of encounters (rather than pure collisions) for the relationships of receptor occupancy, receptor-agonist complex lifetime, and receptor-agonist efficiency to G/adenylate cyclase activation. Using this "encounter coupling" model of receptor/G interaction, it is demonstrated from a theoretical standpoint that the net rate of G activation can depend in part on the agonist binding frequency. The predicted dependence is consistent with the data on which the model is based, in which high binding frequency increases the activation rate. A special case of the "encounter coupling model" allows calculation of the frequency of encounters by an analysis of a previous experiment using epinephrine in which the rate of adenylate cyclase activation was measured in response to a small number of fully occupied, highly efficient receptors. Using those results and the model developed here, the encounter frequency was found to be on the order of 100/min in the intact S49 cell. This calculation relied on knowledge of the rate of inactivation of G/adenylate cyclase in intact cells. A method for the measurement of the adenylate cyclase inactivation rate is presented. Using this method, the adenylate cyclase inactivation rate constant was found to be between 0.8 and 3.0/min.

Estimation of the kinetic constants for binding of epinephrine to beta-adrenergic receptors of the S49 cell

The dissociation constant (Kd) for the binding of epinephrine to beta-adrenergic receptors of the S49 cell is 2 microM, which is the ratio of the rate constants for dissociation (koff) and association (kon), Kd = koff/kon. Although the Kd is known by direct measurement, the individual rate constants kon and koff are unknown since they are both too large to be measured by conventional experimental methods. We present here an analysis in which a minimum value for these constants is calculated. The analysis uses a "transiently private receptor" model for coupling of receptors to G protein/adenylate cyclase that is based on the limits prescribed by the known empirical relationship between the beta-adrenergic receptor occupancy by epinephrine (characterized by Kd) and their coupling to adenylate cyclase (characterized by EC50 = 10 nM) as a function of epinephrine concentration. The model makes only the assumption (based on previous evidence) that a receptor cannot activate more than one cyclase during the course of one cycle of binding and unbinding of an epinephrine molecule. In such a model, and with such a large separation between the Kd and the EC50, the rate of G protein/adenylate cyclase activation by epinephrine-bound receptors can be related to the frequency of receptor binding at low concentrations of epinephrine, from which minimum values for the rate constant for association can be derived. This gives the estimates kon greater than 10(8)/M/min and koff greater than 280/min at 37 degrees. The on-rate constant is comparable to the on-rate constants that have been measured for other beta-adrenergic receptor ligands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparisons of the combined contributions of agonist binding frequency and intrinsic efficiency to receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase

A given overall level of beta-adrenergic receptor occupancy by agonist can involve either high or low turnover of occupancy with respect to individual receptors, depending on the binding properties of the particular agonist. It was recently demonstrated that, for epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activation in the S49 cell, a portion of the separation between the beta-adrenergic receptor binding curve and the cyclase response curves is dependent on high occupancy turnover (high binding frequency). By involving a larger number of receptors within a short period of time than are bound at any one instant, the effect of high binding frequency is to increase the rate of GTP-binding protein/adenylate cyclase activation over the rate that is observed when the mobility of the number of receptors occupied at any given instant is the rate-limiting factor. This phenomenon contributes to the normal dose-response curve for epinephrine, according to our analysis, but only in combination with the apparent high efficiency of the receptor in the epinephrine-bound state at cyclase activation. Here we examined the potential combination of the contributions of agonist binding frequency and intrinsic efficiency to the adenylate cyclase activation rate for four other beta-adrenergic agonists (isoproterenol, zinterol, metaproterenol, and dobutamine). This was done by a comparison of the response (1-min cAMP accumulation) between a point on the normal dose versus response curve (control) with the response under conditions in which the concentration of agonist-bound receptors was identical to control but the absolute number of receptors involved in maintaining that concentration was significantly reduced. In the experiments, the majority of the receptors were blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol, which has a relatively long occupancy half-life. The remaining receptors were occupied by agonist such that the concentration of bound receptors was identical to the control condition of low occupancy of the full complement of receptors in the absence of antagonist. Compared with control, the experimental condition was one in which agonist occupancy turnover was inhibited and the potential contribution of agonist binding frequency as a factor contributing to the cyclase activation rate was greatly reduced (producing a point on the receptor mobility-limited dose versus response curve). Isoproterenol and metaproterenol show evidence that their binding frequencies and the efficiency of the receptor when bound to them are of such a combination that the normal dose-response curves for these agonists contain a component that is dependent on the binding frequency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

cAMP-dependent protein kinase responses of S49 cells are reduced by growth in low epinephrine concentrations

S49 wild-type mouse lymphoma cells grown in 3 nM epinephrine are extensively desensitized. Cellular cAMP responses to subsequent challenges with 100 nM epinephrine are reduced by as much as 80-90%. In this report, we document that protein kinase activity ratios were also attenuated. For example, the activity ratios in naive cells were increased from 0.26 +/- 0.02 to 0.72 +/- 0.04 by incubation with 100 nM epinephrine for 2 min, whereas in cells grown in 3 nM epinephrine for 24 hr before the experiment they were 0.19 +/- 0.02 and 0.29 +/- 0.03. Attenuated protein kinase activity ratios were obvious at epinephrine challenge concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 nM. Three kinds of experiments provided evidence that the reduced ratios in desensitized cells were secondary to diminished cAMP responses rather than to changes in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase itself. Firstly, when protein kinase activity ratios were plotted against cAMP levels in naive and desensitized cells, the points fell along a common line. Secondly, cell-free cAMP-dependent protein kinase preparations from naive or epinephrine-treated cells had similar activities in the presence of maximal exogenous cAMP and similar half-maximal cAMP concentrations. Finally, the levels of cAMP-binding proteins in extracts from naive and desensitized cells were essentially identical. We conclude that desensitization of S49 cells by very low levels of epinephrine significantly reduced cAMP-dependent protein kinase responses to much higher concentrations of the catecholamine.

Growth of S49 cells in low concentrations of beta-adrenergic agonists causes desensitization

Epinephrine at concentrations approximating circulating levels in resting subjects produced significant desensitization in wild type S49 lymphoma cells after long term treatment. Desensitization by such low levels of catecholamines was measured by examining subsequent responses of the cells to higher agonist concentrations and was quantified by comparing the integral cAMP accumulations with time in naive and epinephrine-treated cells challenged with the higher epinephrine concentrations. The cells were significantly desensitized after 8 hr of treatment with 3 nM epinephrine or 3 nM terbutaline and were essentially maximally refractory after 24 hr. The 3 nM epinephrine treatment resulted in a small right shift of the EC50. Responses to epinephrine were partially restored by incubating desensitized cells for 8 hr or longer in growth medium that was free of epinephrine. The attenuation of cAMP responses was largely specific, in that the decrease in the response to prostaglandin was small and the response to forskolin was unchanged. This, together with small increases in cAMP destruction in cell-free preparations from treated cells, suggested that higher phosphodiesterase activity contributed in a minor way to the desensitization. However, the response of the adenylate cyclase system to epinephrine was dramatically attenuated, and very significant changes in the properties of the beta-adrenergic receptors were also obvious. That is, the number of binding sites for epinephrine was reduced by about 65% while the number of sites for [125I]iodocyanopindolol was unchanged. The affinity for the radioactive ligand was significantly reduced. Wild type S49 cells remained viable after several days of continuous treatment with 3 nM epinephrine or terbutaline but responded to subsequent increases in cellular cAMP levels with the expected growth arrest and cytolysis. Involvement of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in this type of desensitization was suggested by the observation that S49 kincells were not desensitized by long term incubation with 3 nM epinephrine. Further, low concentrations of dibutyryl cAMP mimicked the effect of low level epinephrine treatment. We conclude that circulating levels of epinephrine in intact animals are sufficiently high to cause desensitization in cells with sensitivities to the catecholamines in the same range as that of the S49 lymphoma cell in vitro. We would predict that cells with those characteristics would always be at least partially desensitized in vivo.

Evidence for the role of epinephrine binding frequency in activation of adenylate cyclase

The binding of epinephrine to beta-adrenergic receptors is a rapid-on, rapid-off process, such that at any level of receptor occupancy (defined as the fraction of time a receptor is bound or, alternatively, the probability that any particular receptor is bound at any given instant) the entire population of available receptors has periods of occupancy that occur at high frequency. While in the bound state, the receptor acts as a mobile catalyst for the activation of adenylate cyclase. Two processes, then, could conceivably contribute to the access of epinephrine-bound receptors to cyclase and the extent of cyclase activation for a given concentration of epinephrine: 1) the rapid switching of epinephrine among receptors ensures that discontinuous distributed regions of the cell surface experience agonist activity and 2) the mobility of the receptors (and GTP-binding protein) in the cell membrane makes it possible for one receptor to activate numerous GTP-binding protein-adenylate cyclase complexes. In principle, either effect can lead to a wide separation between the binding and response curves (EC50 much less than Kd). It has so far been assumed that mobility is able to account completely for the separation. The extent of the contribution of the process of agonist binding and unbinding to adenylate cyclase activation has not been demonstrated or quantified. Here we examine the distinction between binding frequency and receptor mobility contributions to adenylate cyclase activation in epinephrine-stimulated S49 lymphoma cells for which there is a 200-fold separation between the EC50 and Kd at 37 degrees (EC50 = 10 nM, Kd = 2 microM). Experiments were designed to measure adenylate cyclase activation rates for a constant concentration of epinephrine-bound receptors but with variation of the absolute number of receptors involved in the activation. This was accomplished by blocking a portion of the receptor population with an antagonist (propranolol) that has a long occupancy half-life, while increasing the occupancy of the remaining receptors by compensating increases in epinephrine. With this protocol, a condition is approached in which receptor mobility alone is responsible for activation. This resulted in a 50% decrease in adenylate cyclase activity, compared with a control of 30 nM epinephrine. Thus, for epinephrine concentrations near the EC50, the switching of epinephrine among the receptor population is necessary for greater than 50% of the observed activity; it can be shown in conjunction that receptor mobility nonetheless accounts for the majority of the separation between the EC50 and the Kd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Role of high affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activities in the response of S49 cells to agonists

Quantitative analysis of a drug or hormone action expressed through increased rates of cAMP synthesis is dependent on the activities and affinities of the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that hydrolyze the cAMP. It is shown herein that, on both theoretical and experimental grounds, significant contribution to hydrolysis by high affinity PDE activity would lead to striking departures from proportionality of the relationships between rates of cAMP synthesis and intracellular cAMP accumulations. Simulations of cAMP decay curves, cellular concentration-response curves to agonists, and cAMP time courses were used to predict the consequences of a high affinity PDE in an intact cell experimental system. Specifically, the simulations predicted 1) an upward convexity in the cAMP log-decay curve, 2) an upward concavity in the concentration-response curve, and 3) the amplification of small differences in initial rates resulting in large differences in accumulation at long times. S49 WT lymphoma cells demonstrated properties that fitted the predictions of the simulations in an experimental system. We conclude that the presence of significant high affinity PDEs has a profound effect on the nature of the response of cells to agonists and antagonists of the adenylate cyclase system. In addition, intracellular rates of hydrolysis were compared with PDE activities measured in cell-free systems. The data showed that cell-free estimates of PDE activity seriously overestimated the intracellular rates of cAMP hydrolysis.

Discrimination between intact cell desensitization and agonist affinity changes

The relationship between epinephrine-induced receptor-epinephrine affinity changes and intact cell adenylate cyclase activity was investigated using S49 lymphoma cells. It was demonstrated that 20 nM epinephrine caused desensitization (defined as a reduction in the rate of cAMP synthesis with time), but no significant change in receptor-epinephrine affinity as measured by competition with [125I]iodopindolol. On the other hand, treatment with 5 microM epinephrine caused no desensitization (as defined above), but did cause a very significant reduction in receptor-epinephrine affinity. It is suggested that there is a desensitization process which is distinct from the agonist affinity shift and which is expressed primarily as a change in the EC50 of the hormone-induced activation. The demonstration of extensive desensitization at low concentrations of hormone may have important physiological implications.

Clearance of inhaled 99mTc DTPA from regions of the lung recently affected by pulmonary embolus

Pulmonary emboli lead to regional limitation of pulmonary artery perfusion, often without affecting distribution of ventilation. We have studied the effect of this regional reduction of pulmonary artery perfusion on the integrity of epithelium of alveoli (and possibly bronchioli). Integrity of alveolar epithelium was assessed by measuring regional rates of clearance from lung to blood of an inhaled aerosol of a small molecular weight solute, 99mTc DTPA (technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate). Ten patients with pulmonary emboli were studied, where the diagnosis was made from 'mismatching' seen on ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) lung scintigraphy. Rates of clearance of DTPA in regions with normal V/Q ratios were compared with embolized regions with high V/Q ratios. Clearance rates were increased in embolized regions (V/Q ratio greater than 1): 2.59 +/- (SD) 0.89% X min-1, compared with normal regions (V/Q ratio less than 1): mean 1.39 +/- 0.60% X min-1 (p less than 0.01). In repeat studies in nine patients (one died), after intervals between 2 and 12 weeks, the V/Q ratio of previously embolized regions decreased towards unity in all nine patients, suggesting resolution. The differences in clearance rates for DTPA between normal and embolized regions decreased in association with this return towards normal of V/Q ratios. We surmise that reduction in pulmonary artery perfusion which occurs in pulmonary embolic disease alters the integrity of the alveolar (and possibly bronchiolar) epithelium. This effect is largely reversible, recovering with return of pulmonary artery perfusion.

Does left ventricular aneurysmectomy improve ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery?

Fourteen consecutive patients undergoing left ventricular aneurysmectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting were studied by multiple gated ventricular scintigraphy at rest and during exercise before and at six weeks and six months after surgery. All had congestive heart failure and 12 angina pectoris. Before operation left ventricular ejection fraction fell significantly with exercise, as did the regional wall motion score. Six weeks after surgery all surviving patients were free of angina, with an improvement in functional class; the total exercise workload improved significantly, but resting left ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged; the regional wall motion score improved in both the anterior and left anterior oblique projections, although extensive areas of abnormal contraction persisted. Exercise left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly after operation at six weeks, and previous exercise induced abnormalities of regional contraction were abolished. Six months after operation angina pectoris had recurred in one patient, but there was no further change in ventricular function in the remainder. Although resting ejection fraction is not improved, symptoms, exercise workload, and exercise ventricular function can be improved by aneurysmectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting, but the respective contribution of these two procedures remains uncertain.

Hormone and methylxanthine action on breast epithelial cells

Human mammary carcinoma cells and normal mouse breast epithelial cells desensitized as the result of treatment with beta-adrenergic agonists. Accumulation of cAMP in the same cells was affected only slightly by caffeine and there was no detectable desensitization or hypersensitization as a result of that treatment. However, as in many other cell types, caffeine was an effective inhibitor of adenosine action. These observations do not support the hypothesis made by Minton and his co-workers (1), that treatment of breast epithelial cells with agents that increase cAMP accumulation leads to hypersensitization rather than desensitization.

Effects of desensitization on the responses of WI-38 and S49 cells to hormones

Experiments with intact cells were used to quantitate the effects of hormone desensitization on the cAMP accumulation in cultured fibroblasts (WI-38) and lymphoma cells (S49). Desensitization of WI-38 cells to prostaglandin E1 and epinephrine and of S49 cells to epinephrine was associated with a shift in the ED50 in each case to higher hormone concentrations. This led to the situation where cells under continuous stimulation by low concentrations of hormone demonstrated a greater relative decline in cAMP synthesis with time than the same cells treated with high hormone concentrations. Therefore, any general attempt to quantitate desensitization in terms of cAMP accumulation in these cells must take the hormone concentration of the assay into account.

Differences in the forskolin activation of adenylate cyclases in wild-type and variant lymphoma cells

The ability of the diterpene forskolin to stimulate cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cell and membrane preparations of wild-type S49 lymphoma cells (WT) and a number of variants has been confirmed. Additionally, a number of salient new findings have emerged: (a) A time delay in forskolin stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation and adenylate cyclase (t 1/2 approximately equal to 1.5 min) occurred in all hormone-sensitive WT and variant cell and membrane preparations tested. (b) The time delay was missing in the adenylate cyclase-deficient variant (cyc-) of the S49 lymphoma cell, which also lacks functional adenylate cyclase-coupling proteins. (c) The simultaneous addition of epinephrine and forskolin to WT cells or to membrane preparations eliminated the time delay. (d) Forskolin stimulation of intact WT cells did not appear to desensitize adenylate cyclase. (e) The activation of WT adenylate cyclase by forskolin was biphasic with respect to concentration, with both high- and low-affinity components being apparent. In cyc-, only the low-affinity component was detected.

The effects of propranolol and acebutolol on the overnight plasma levels of anterior pituitary and related hormones

1 The effects of single evening doses of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents propranolol (80 mg orally) and acebutolol (200 mg orally) on plasma levels throughout the night of prolactin, growth hormone, luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, cortisol and testosterone have been studied in seven healthy male volunteers. 2 Three way analysis of variance showed that acebutolol significantly reduced circulating levels of prolactin and follicle stimulating hormone, but did not alter the levels of the other hormones studied. 3 Propranolol significantly reduced follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone, and significantly increased circulating levels of cortisol, but caused no change in the other hormones studied. 4 Prolactin, luteinising hormone, testosterone and cortisol showed a significant variation with time indicating the existence of a diurnal rhythm in the pattern of their secretion. 5 There was a significant inter-subject variability in all the hormones studied. 6 There was a significant between-subject variation in response to both propranolol and acebutolol. 7 Different subjects showed significant variations with respect to time in prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol levels. 8 Neither propranolol nor acebutolol significantly altered the time course of secretion of any of the hormones studied. 9 Possible relationships of these beta-adrenoceptor blocker-induced changes in anterior pituitary and related hormones to the antihypertensive mechanism of acebutolol and propranolol are discussed.

Consequences of hormone-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase in intact cells

A hypothesis on the role of the hormone-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase is proposed. It is suggested that the desensitization process could provide the cell with a highly efficient cyclic AMP system for transmitting hormone stimulus without requiring a large energy consumption. Theoretical considerations show that in fact the desensitization phenomenon allows the cyclic AMP system to present a good compromise between the efficiency and economy requirements of the cells.

Immunocytochemical localization of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in rat locus coeruleus and hypothalamus

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine, has been localized in light and electron microscopic preparations of rat brain by an immunocytochemical method using a peroxidase--anti-peroxidase Fab complex. In light microscopic preparations, DBH-specific reaction product was observed in somata and proximal processes of neurons in the locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus as well as within distal axons of the principal adrenergic fiber system. DBH-specific reaction product was also observed within small (1--2 micrometer), punctate structures in the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis and the para- and periventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Electron microscopic results demonstrated on association of DBH-specific reaction product with the Golgi apparatus of neuronal somata in the locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus. DBH-positive reaction product was also seen in association with small (35-55 nm) agranular synaptic vesicles and large (80--100 nm), probable granular vesicles within axonal varicosities and terminals in the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis. Occasionally, DBH-containing axonal varicosities and terminals were observed to form synapse-like junctions with dendritic profiles, but most of the observed DBH-positive axonal structures did not establish identifiable synaptic relationships.

Distortion of cyclic AMP responses to catecholamine due to destruction of the hormone

The acute actions of low and moderate concentrations of catecholamines on cyclic AMP metabolism in SV40-transformed human lung fibroblasts (VA13) were seriously distorted by non-enzymatic destruction of the agonist. Catecholamine destruction, as measured directly with an isotopic method, was slowed by a variety of anti-oxidants and chelating agents. A combination of two anti-oxidants, ascorbate and thiourea, was very effective in protecting isoproterenol in the cell culture system. That is, there was a 10-fold increase in the sensitivity of VA13 to isoproterenol and the duration of action of the catecholamine was greatly prolonged. However, the anti-oxidants did not alter the responses of the cells to prostaglandins. We conclude that any quantitative studies of cyclic AMP responses to catecholamines must address the question of agonist destruction if meaningful results are to be expected. The use of anti-oxidants, especially the combination of ascorbate and thiourea, would appear to be advisable, particularly in situations where the catecholamine concentrations are less than supramaximal.

Glutamate decarboxylase localization in neurons of the olfactory bulb

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme that synthesizes the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has been localized in the rat olfactory bulb by immunocytochemical methods with both light and electron microscopy. The light microscopic results demonstrated GAD-positive puncta concentrated in the external plexiform layer and in the glomeruli of the glomerular layer. In addition, GAD-positive reaction product stained the dentrites and somata of granule and periglomerular cells. The electron microscopic observations confirmed the presence of GAD-positive reaction product within granule and periglomerular somata and dendrites. In electron micrographs of the external plexiform layer, the gemmules which arise from the distal dentrites of granule cells were also observed to be filled with reaction product, and these structures corresponded in size and location to the puncta observed in light microscopic preparations. The gemmules were observed to form reciprocal dendrodentritic synaptic junctions with mitral cell dentrites which lacked reaction product. In the glomeruli, GAD-positive reaction product was observed in the dentritic shafts and gemmules of periglomerular cells which also formed reciprocal dendrodentritic synaptic contacts with mitral/tufted cell dentrites. The localization of GAD in known inhibitory neurons of the olfactory bulb supports the case that these local circuit neurons use GABA as their neurotransmitter. The present study demonstrates that GAD molecules located within certain neuronal somata and dentrites can be visualized with antisera prepared against GAD that was purified from synaptosomal fractions of mouse brains. This finding suggests that the lack of GAD staining within somata and dentrites of GABA-ergic neurons noted in previous studies of the cerebellum and spinal cord was probably due to low GAD concentrations, rather than to antigenic differences among GAD molecules located in different portions of the neuron. A striking differences among GAD molecules located in different portions of the neuron. A striking difference between the granule and periglomerular neurons of the olfactory bulb and the neurons of the cerebellum and spinal cord is that the former have presynaptic dentrites while the latter do not. Since GAD-positive reaction product can be detected in the somata and dentrites of GABA-ergic neurons which have presynaptic dentrites, it is suggested that these neurons may differ from other GABA-ergic neurons with respect to either transport or metabolism of GAD.

Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat substantia nigra

L-Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, EC 4.1.1.15), the enzyme which catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of L-glutamate to form gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was localized both light and electron microscopically in rat substantia nigra by an immunoperoxidase method. Large amounts of GAD-positive reaction produce were seen throughout the substantia nigra in light microscopic preparations, and it appeared to be localized in punctate structures that were apposed to dendrites and somata. Electron microscopic studies revealed that most of the axon terminals in the substantia nigra were filled with GAD-positive reaction product and formed both axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. Many dendrites were extensively surrounded by GAD-positive terminals which most commonly formed symmetric synaptic junctions, although some formed asymmetric synpatic junctions. The results of this investigation are consistent with biochemical, pharmacological and physiological data which have indicated that neurons of the neostriatum and globus pallidus exert a GABA-mediated, postsynaptic inhibition upon the neurons of the substantia nigra. These findings provide another example in the vertebrate central nervous system where Golgi I projection neurons are inhibitory and use GABA as their neurotransmitter.

Glycoprotein-enriched vesicles from sheep erythrocyte ghosts obtained by spontaneous vesiculation

Sheep erythrocyte membranes have been shown in this laboratory to undergo spontaneous vesiculation when incubated at 4 degrees, fractionating into two bands in dextran gradients (R. McGuire and R. Barber, submitted for publication). While vesicles were observed to be formed in several solvent systems, incubation in the presence of complexors to remove divalent cations was found to be the most efficient method for both vesicle formation and their detachment from the residual membrane. We report here on the characterization of these vesicles formed by spontaneous vesiculation. In the presence of a hypotnoic buffer containing 1 mM EDTA, vesicle production proceeds linearly up to 50 hours and declines, reaching its maximum at 72 hours with up to 20% of the total membrane protein found in the upper band. This upper band is shown in electron micrographs to be composed chiefly of closed vesicles, while the particles in the lower band appear morphologically similar to the original ghosts. Total phospholipid phosphorus and cholesterol in the vesicles are enriched to the same extent, giving a lipid to protein ratio of 2 times that found for whole ghosts. The vesicles contain the same individual phospholipids as the ghosts. The protein composition of these vesicles is unique, in that they are almost depleted in the known extrinsic membrane proteins, while containing practically all types of the various glycoproteins of the original membrane. The two main intrinsic membrane proteins (with apparent molecular weights of 160,000 and 100,000) are found almost exclusively in the vesicles, virtually depleted in the residual ghost-like particles. The protein with 160,000 molecular weight is shown here to be a glycoprotein, giving an anomalous molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and having a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 after lipid extraction. This same glycoprotein appears to fractionate with acetylcholinesterase. From the accessibilities of the substrates to the membrane acetylcholinesterase and NADH-diaphorase, it is concluded that the vesicles are right-side-out and sealed to small molecules. There are more membrane sialic acid residues accessible to neuraminidase in the vesicles (in terms of number of residues/mg og membrane protein) than in ghosts, further supporting the conclustion that these vesicles have a normal orientation and are enriched in glycoproteins. The specific activity of acetylcholinesterase in the vesicles is increased 5- to 6-fold over that found in the original ghosts and almost 20-fold over that in the residual ghost-like particles. Consequently, spontaneous vesiculation occurs simultaneously with the enrichement of specific membrane proteins in certain regions of the lipid bilayer. It is postulated that these domains in the membrane, containing clusters of specific intrinsic membrane proteins, bud out and subsequently release glycoprotein-enriched lipid vesicles.

Hormone receptor mobility and catecholamine binding in membranes. A theoretical model

[3H]-Catecholamine binding to intact cells, isolated cell membranes, and to several isolated macromolecules has been shown by several laboratories to be neither stereospecific nor inhibited by known beta-antagonists. Since additional evidence indicates that this binding is not an artifact (i.e. due neither to the binding of a catecholamine oxidation product nor hormone binding to a catabolic enzyme such as COMT), the question remains as to whether this represents binding to a bona fide membrane receptor. Because all ligands which bind strongly or compete for this binding possess a catechol group, one possible explanation is that the binding affinity is primarily determined by the catechol moiety, whereas the correct stereoisomer of the side chain is necessary to activate the receptor. Thus, although binding is a necessary condition for hormone action, the necessary and sufficient condition for activation of adenyl cyclase is both the catechol group and the correct stereoisomer of the side chain. A theoretical model is developed here to provide a quantitative basis for this hypothesis. This model extends the current concept of distinct subunits in the adenyl cyclase system by separating the receptors from the catalytic sites and placing them at separate locations within the membrane. Utilizing the spare receptor model of Furchgott, and the mobility of macromolecules within a "lipid sea," the appropriate equations to predict both hormone binding and enzyme activation are derived. Using the observed affinity constants from catecholamine binding studies, it is then shown that this model can predict the experimental observation and hence explain the apparent dichotomy arising from binding enzyme activation studies.

Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat spinal cord

The GABA synthesizing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), has been localized by light and electron microscopy in the rat lumbosacral spinal cord using a peroxidase-labeling antibody technique. The light microscopic localization shows heavy, punctate reaction product for GAD in the dorsal horn laminae I-III. Moderately heavy reaction product is also seen in the deeper dorsal horn laminae IV-VI, the medial aspect of the intermediate gray (lamina VII) and the region around the central canal (lamina X). A moderately light concentration of GAD reaction product is observed in the ventral horn, and punctate deposits of reaction product also are seen on motoneuron cell bodies. The punctate distribution of reaction product for GAD in both ventral and dorsal horns, as visualized by light microscopy, corresponds to GAD-containing synaptic terminals seen by electron microscopy in comparable regions of the spinal gray. Many more GAD-positive terminals are observed in dorsal horn laminae I-III than in deeper laminae IV-VI. GAD-containing terminals in the dorsal horn are presynpatic to dendrites and cell bodies. Gad-containing terminals presynaptic to other axon terminals are observed also, and they are more numerous in laminae II and III. In the ventral horn motor nuclei, GAD-positive knobs are presynaptic to large and small dendrites and motoneuror cell bodies. In addition, small GAD-containing terminals also are presynaptic to larger axonal terminals which are in turn presynaptic to motoneuron somata. The observation of GAD-containing terminals presynaptic to dendrites and cell bodies in both dorsal and ventral horns is compatible with the evidence suggesting that GABA terminals may mediate postsynaptic inhibition of spinal interneurons and motoneurons. The additional finding of GAD-positive terminals presynaptic to other axonal terminals in the dorsal horn and motor nuclei is consistent with the growing evidence that GABA also may be the transmises mediating presynaptic inhibition via axo-axond synapses in the spinal cord.

Immunohistochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat cerebellum

Glutamate decarboxylase (L-glutamate l-carboxylase; EC 4.1.1.15), the enzyme in brain that forms gamma-aminobutyric acid, was made visible on sections of rat cerebellum by use of rabbit antiserum to purified mouse-brain glutamate decarboxylase. Cerebellar sections obtained from rats that were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde were treated with antiserum against the enzyme or with serum from unimmunized rabbits, washed, and then incubated with peroxidase-labeled goat antibody against rabbit immunoglobulin. The glutamate decarboxylase was made visible on sections by means of the product formed by the action of peroxidase on 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and H(2)O(2). A weak and diffuse reaction was observed in Purkinje cell bodies, suggesting the occurrence of the enzyme within these cells. In addition, an intense, punctate deposition of reaction product was located around the Purkinje cells and around the neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei, suggesting the impingement of many nerve terminals containing the enzyme upon these neuronal surfaces. No specific reaction product was observed in sections treated with serum from unimmunized rabbits. The distribution of glutamate decarboxylase observed in our preparations is consistent with a large body of indirect biochemical, physiological, and morphological data dealing with the synaptic role of gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons in the cerebellum.